Vietnam Embassy in Bulgaria

Vietnam is represented in Bulgaria by one embassy: the Embassy of Vietnam in Sofia. There are no Vietnamese consulates in Plovdiv, Varna or any other city, so the embassy handles consular matters for the whole country. Vietnam and Bulgaria established diplomatic relations back in 1950, making this one of Vietnam’s longest-standing partnerships in Europe. This guide is for Bulgarian travelers, foreign residents in Bulgaria and Vietnamese citizens living there. It covers the embassy’s address, phone number, email and opening hours, plus a few practical tips before you get in touch.

Good news first: most Bulgarian travelers never need to visit the embassy at all. Under Vietnam’s current tourism stimulus programme, Bulgarian passport holders can visit Vietnam visa-free for tourism stays of up to 45 days. Anyone planning a longer trip, or traveling for other purposes, can apply for a Vietnam e-visa fully online. The embassy matters most when you need a special type of visa, help with Vietnamese documents, or support as a Vietnamese citizen abroad.

Embassy of Vietnam in Sofia

The Embassy is on Zhetvarka Street in the Izgrev area of Sofia, east of the city centre. It serves all of Bulgaria.

The consular section only receives visitors on two mornings a week, so plan your visit carefully. If you live outside Sofia, start with a phone call or email to the consular section.

What Can the Embassy Help With?

The embassy handles consular work for both foreigners and Vietnamese citizens. Services typically include:

• Vietnam visas issued at the embassy, for travelers whose plans need one
• Visa exemption certificates for overseas Vietnamese and their family members
• Passports and travel documents for Vietnamese citizens
• Notarization and legalization of documents to be used in Vietnam
• Civil registration, citizen protection and emergency support for Vietnamese nationals in Bulgaria

Do You Need to Visit for a Tourist Visa?

Usually not. For a holiday of up to 45 days, Bulgarian passport holders can currently enter Vietnam without a visa. This exemption applies to tourism only and is part of a time-limited programme, so check that it’s still in force before you travel. For longer stays or other purposes, you can apply for a Vietnam e-visa online without visiting the embassy or posting a passport. You fill in the form, upload a passport scan and a photo, pay, and receive the e-visa by email.

The embassy is the better route when your trip doesn’t fit what visa-free entry or the e-visa offers, for example certain work, study or other long-term stays. The embassy sets its own document list and fees for these cases, so check with them before you apply.

Practical Tips Before You Go

A little preparation goes a long way with consular offices. Keep these in mind:

• Call or email first. Hours, phone lines and procedures can change, and some services may need an appointment.
• Remember the purpose rule. Visa-free entry only covers tourism. If you’re traveling for work, business meetings or study, you’ll need a visa even for a short stay.
• Check public holidays on both sides. The embassy may close on Vietnamese national holidays, including several days around Lunar New Year (Tet), and on Bulgarian holidays such as Liberation Day in March and Unification Day in September.
• Mind the time difference. Bulgaria is 5 hours behind Vietnam in winter and 4 hours behind during European summer time.
• Count your days. If you’re entering visa-free, plan your trip within the 45-day limit, including your arrival and departure days.

Bulgarian Citizens Needing Help While in Vietnam

The Vietnamese embassy above serves people in Bulgaria. If you are already in Vietnam and need help as a Bulgarian citizen, for example with a lost passport or an emergency, contact Bulgaria’s own embassy there:

For consular matters, email Consular.Hanoi@mfa.bg. The consular office receives visitors on weekday mornings, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Outside office hours, the embassy runs an emergency hotline on +84 83 940 9129.